The gospel message: For all who thirst, open to everyone, no
price to pay, not to be gained by one's own work (v 2), promise of kingdom (v
3), for Gentiles as well as Israel (v 5).

COME, ALL YOU WHO ARE THIRSTY: Historical relevance:
the conduit of Hezekiah? Cp Psa 42:1,2; 63:1-3.

WITHOUT MONEY AND WITHOUT COST: "[Some] men sometimes
think that they give all that is required of them in giving money. This has been
one of the great errors of Christendom, the attempt to buy that which is
'without money and without price'. It is true that the apostle Paul says
something regarding spiritual and carnal things which seems to suggest
reciprocity in these matters. We must not put his teaching upside down, however.
He says that Gentiles who are partakers of Israel's spiritual riches have a duty
to minister in carnal matters. He certainly does not suggest that carnal wealth
can buy the spiritual treasures. The two kinds of riches are on a different
plane. The currency is different and there is no known rate of exchange. The
wealthy man who goes to his chapel with a feeling that he can purchase anything
and a readiness to give of his abundance [only] if the service pleases him, is
not likely to receive any real spiritual food. He is not in the right condition
to appreciate it. Possibly husks please him best. If so he can buy what he
requires" (PrPr).

Isa 55:5

Isa 55:6

SEEK THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND: Or else, "you
shall seek me, and shall not find me" (Joh 7:34; cp Pro 1:28). The theme of
seeking, all through Joh 7: Joh 7:11,18-20,25,30,34,36).

"We must get closer to God. It is pressing and urgent. It is
the whole purpose of our lives. We are never close enough. Our whole life's main
endeavor must be a continuous drawing closer to Him. His Word is the great
bridge across the chasm, the golden pathway through the vast wilderness. We get
closer to Him by study and meditation and prayer and love and holiness -- not
little dabs lost in the endless busy-ness of other things, but as a total
dedication that overshadows everything, and gives direction and color to
everything we do: a fixed and constant purpose in life to which all else takes a
proper secondary position. Let us realize the immensity of this call to divinity
and eternity -- brief, crawling worm that man is. If it does not totally seize
and transform us, we are not of the people of God, but a mere incidental part of
the passing background for the development of the people of God. Orthodoxy, with
its bloated views of human worth and 'natural immortality', may well expect
painless, effortless salvation: and automatic passing on to a naturally-destined
higher state. But those who have been enlightened to man's utter perishing and
mortal insignificance should know much better than this" (GVG).

Isa 55:8

Vv 8-11 focus on the reliability of the divine word and
support the promises before (vv 3-5,7) and after (vv 12,13) this. Israel can be
certain that repentance will bring forgiveness and a new covenant relationship
because God's promises are reliable. In contrast to human plans (or "thoughts"),
which are destined to fail (Psa 94:11) apart from divine approval (Pro 19:21),
and human deeds (or "ways"), which are evil and lead to destruction (Pro
1:15-19; 3:31-33; 4:19), God's plans are realized and His deeds accomplish
something positive.

Isa 55:10

The very sign of great fertility promised by God in midst of
Sennacherib's siege (Isa 37:30).

// Ecc 11:1-6.

Isa 55:13

The feast of tabernacles. The gracious rain of God's word
transforms "thorns" and "briers" into beautiful, fruitful trees.

AN EVERLASTING SIGN: Cp Isa 56:5: everlasting name. Ct
Isa 53:8: cut off out of land of living.